Photo Notes from Montgomery

Montgomery, the capital of Alabama, is known today as a cradle of the Civil Rights Movement. This is the place where a quiet action by Rosa Parks sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. Ten years later, another spark ignited the fire of the Voting Rights Movement — the famous, bloody march from Selma to Montgomery. It ultimately resulted in the signing by President Lyndon Johnson of the Voting Rights Act on August 6, 1965.

Because I did not live in this country at that time, I could only learn about the U.S. Civil Rights Movement from books and documentaries. This August I took the opportunity to visit Montgomery and “touch” the reality of the place. It was quite an experience and I will write about it later, but for now I am sharing with you a few photos from that historic place.

At the Famous Bus Stop

Bus Stop - words

Fountain nearby

Civil Rights Memorial Center

Civil Rights Memorial Center

At the Civil Rights Memorial

Civil Rights Memorial - close up

Tribute to Nonviolent Movements

King Memorial Baptist Church

There was another important reason for my visit to Montgomery. Two years ago I met Mary Robinson, a Civil Rights and textile union activist from Montgomery, while she was visiting Tucson and signing her book Moisture of the Earth. As authors, we signed and exchanged our books and promised to visit each other someday.

That did happen this August in Montgomery. Here we are in Mary’s home. We even signed our books for each other again with hope for more visits.

I have always wanted to visit the “deep south,” so I’m looking forward to hearing more about your trip. My mom sends her best from Wisconsin, where I have been enjoying my family, the cooler weather and the greener landscape immensely. It’s always nice to get back to Tucson, though. Love to you and D. -Lesley